Dieter Hecking RSS feedhttps://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/dieter-hecking
en-SGIt's 51-49 in our favour - Hecking grounded after Gladbach draw at SchalkeBorussia Monchengladbach and Schalke are locked at 1-1 after the first leg, leaving the Europa League tie delicately poised.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/its-51-49-our-favour-hecking-grounded-after-gladbach-draw-schalke
Dieter Hecking praised Borussia Monchengladbach for securing a 1-1 draw at Schalke in the first leg of the all-German Europa League clash, but insists his side are only slight favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
While Gladbach won 4-2 in a Bundesliga fixture between the sides on Saturday, Hecking always expected a far tougher test in the first leg of the last-16 tie.
Jonas Hofmann's 15th-minute strike secured the visitors a crucial away goal ahead of the return match, although they were forced to weather a late onslaught under the closed roof inside the Veltins-Arena.
Having scored the equaliser in the first half, Guido Burgstaller was unfortunate to see a deflected strike stay out via the crossbar as Schalke pushed hard but ultimtely failed to gain an advantage on home soil.
"I'm very happy with the result," Hecking told a post-match media conference.
"We sat a little bit too deep in the final 20 minutes and Yann Sommer made a couple of good saves, but you're mistaken if you thought we were going to cruise to an easy victory this evening.
"I thought [Timothee] Kolodziejczak did very well this evening. Overall it was a good performance by us.
"If we were playing the second leg at a neutral venue I'd say the chances are 50-50, but we're at home, so it's 51-49 in our favour!"
Schalke counterpart Markus Weinzierl felt his team adapted well to a formation switch as they maintained their unbeaten home record in Europe this season.
"I don't think it's a bad result. It wasn't easy to switch to a flat back four [from a back three], but I thought we did exceptionally well," he said.
"There were plenty of positives to take from the game. We can be very happy."
news_articleFri, 10 Mar 2017 00:01:01 +0000Anonymous697033 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comHecking named Borussia Monchengladbach coachDieter Hecking is the new man in charge at Borussia Monchengladbach after the club dismissed Andre Schubert on Wednesday.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/hecking-named-borussia-monchengladbach-coach
Borussia Monchengladbach have appointed Dieter Hecking as their new head coach on a contract running until June 2019.
Andre Schubert was dismissed on Wednesday after overseeing an underwhelming first half of the campaign, with Tuesday's defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg the final nail in his coffin, as the team dropped to 14th place in the table.
Reports had suggested Hecking was likely to replace Schubert and Gladbach have now confirmed the 52-year-old's appointment.
"We want to make a fresh start following the developments of the past few weeks and Dieter Hecking is just the right man for it," BMG sporting director Max Eberl said.
"He is a coach with a lot of experience, who has been very successful with a number clubs at various levels.
"A difficult second half of the season awaits, with exciting challenges in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Europa League. We are looking forward at taking on these challenges with Hecking at the helm."
OFFICIAL! Dieter #Hecking has been named the new #Fohlenelf head coach. The 52-year-old has signed a deal until June 2019. More to follow... pic.twitter.com/OCsORXkF4Z
— Gladbach (@borussia_en) December 22, 2016
Hecking enjoyed a spell with Gladbach during his playing career, making six appearances for the club between 1983 and 1985.
He had been out of work since leaving Wolfsburg in October.
news_articleThu, 22 Dec 2016 11:01:01 +0000Anonymous666321 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comHecking leaves Wolfsburg after dismal runA run of six games without a win has prompted Wolfsburg to dismiss head coach Dieter Hecking with immediate effect.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/hecking-leaves-wolfsburg-after-dismal-run
Wolfsburg have confirmed that head coach Dieter Hecking has left his post by mutual consent after a disappointing start to the season.
A run of six matches without a win - which included a 5-1 home thrashing by Borussia Dortmund - undermined a promising opening Bundesliga victory away to Augsburg in August.
With the club failing to qualify for the Champions League after finishing eighth last term, and having lost 1-0 at home to promoted RB Leipzig on Saturday, Hecking has now been relieved of duties.
"VFL Wolfsburg and Dieter Hecking have ended their co-operation by mutual consent," a club statement confirmed.
"For now, Under-23 coach Valerien Ismael will accept responsibility, on an interim basis, of training and preparation for the away match in the Bundesliga with SV Darmstadt 98."
Hecking himself said: "Of course I am disappointed, but it's part of being a coach that you have to be ready to be sacked when you are not successful.
"I would have liked to continue working with this group but I respect the club's decision."
Sporting director Klaus Allofs added: "Personally, I regret having to take this decision.
"It was a big pleasure to work with Dieter Hecking. We have worked for four years, closely and successfully. Unfortunately we did not qualify for the Champions League despite playing some great matches and we have not managed the turnaround we all hoped for this season.
"After some disappointing results, we came to the conclusion that we need some new impulses from the coaching position."
news_articleMon, 17 Oct 2016 18:02:01 +0000Anonymous639125 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comBorussia Dortmund v Wolfsburg: Hummels transfer request disrupts hosts' preparationMats Hummels' announcement that he wants to leave Borussia Dortmund for Bayern will have taken their mind off the game against Wolfsburg.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/borussia-dortmund-v-wolfsburg-hummels-transfer-request-disrupts-hosts-preparation
Borussia Dortmund were rocked by the news that Mats Hummels wants to leave the club for rivals Bayern Munich ahead of Saturday's Bundesliga encounter with Wolfsburg.
Dortmund still have a small chance to catch Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table - trailing the leaders by seven points with three games to go - but the German title will be the last thing on their mind following Hummels' announcement.
Thomas Tuchel's men's will be keen to end the Bundesliga season on a high, though, and prepare in the best way possible for the upcoming DFB-Pokal final against Bayern.
They are unbeaten in the Bundesliga since the 2-1 defeat at the hands of Cologne in December, winning 11 of their 14 matches since.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Ilkay Gundogan are expected to return to the squad after a spell on the sidelines due to injury, with the duo resuming training on Thursday.
Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, meanwhile, is desperate for his side to show they are not as far behind Dortmund as the Bundesliga table suggests.
Hecking's men impressed in the Champions League as they caused Real Madrid all kinds of problems in the quarter-finals, but they have been unable to replicate that form in the German top flight.
They sit 10th in the table after 31 matches and are already out of the race to qualify for Champions League football, and trail this weekend's opponents by a massive 35 points.
"I expect Dortmund to be as focused as they have been in recent games. We have to do better than against Bremen and Augsburg. That's our only chance to get a good result," the Wolfsburg coach said at a news conference.
"Dortmund are on a good run and will want to keep it up against us. But we always look forward to away games against Dortmund. It is one of the best stadiums in Germany.
"We will meet a very strong opponent who have been enjoying a good season. But we want to show that we are not as far behind them as the table suggests.
"We have to give our all three more times in order to end the season on a high, starting with the match against Wolfsburg. Even if we realise it will be very difficult."
Dortmund beat Wolfsburg 2-1 at the Volkswagen Arena back in December, with Shinji Kagawa netting the winner well into stoppage time.
Key Opta facts:
- Wolfsburg have won just three Bundesliga games in Dortmund (drawing four, losing 11). Their last victory at Signal Iduna Park dates back to December 2012 (3-2).
- Dortmund have won 23 games this term, amassing 74 points in the process – both club records for this stage of a Bundesliga campaign.
- Wolfsburg are on a six-game winless streak in the Bundesliga (drawing two, losing four), the longest such run in the division (same as Stuttgart).
- Thomas Tuchel's side are the only professional side in Germany without a league defeat this calendar year.
- 12 individual mistakes by Wolfsburg players have resulted in goals, a league high. Nine of these errors have taken place since Christmas, including two last weekend against Augsburg.
news_articleThu, 28 Apr 2016 17:12:01 +0000Anonymous565883 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comMadrid deserve semi-final spot - HeckingReal Madrid are worthy Champions League semi-finalists after their 3-0 win, according to Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/madrid-deserve-semi-final-spot-hecking
Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking felt Real Madrid deserved their place in the Champions League semi-finals as he lamented his team's defending.
A Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick led the La Liga giants to a 3-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, completing a comeback 3-2 aggregate victory on Tuesday.
Hecking rued his side's display away from home and said Madrid were worthy semi-finalists.
"They have deserved to go through and won fairly. We did not play as we wanted," he told a news conference.
"We have not been so bad, but we have not understood what had to be done. We lost many balls."
Ronaldo opened the scoring after 15 minutes before heading in a Toni Kroos corner moments later.
The Portuguese star completed the comeback with a 77th-minute winner, curling a free-kick through the Wolfsburg wall.
Hecking said "We have been unlucky because the last two goals have been set-pieces and we should have defended better.
"We needed a goal to reach the semi-finals. I congratulate Real Madrid because they deserved to go through."
Wolfsburg's attentions now turn to the Bundesliga, in which they sit eighth as they eye a strong finish to the season.
news_articleTue, 12 Apr 2016 22:47:01 +0000Anonymous558571 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comHecking wants respect for underdogs WolfsburgReal Madrid will no longer be surprised by Wolfsburg in their Champions League tie but Dieter Hecking believes his men have earned respect.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/hecking-wants-respect-underdogs-wolfsburg
Dieter Hecking thinks Real Madrid are still favourites to progress to the Champions League semi-finals but feels Wolfsburg deserve respect for their first-leg heroics.
Hecking's men take a 2-0 aggregate lead into Tuesday's return match of the quarter-final tie after Ricardo Rodriguez's penalty and a Max Arnold strike sunk Madrid at the Volkswagen Arena last week.
The victory was Wolfsburg's fifth in succession in the competition, a streak that includes triumphs over CSKA Moscow, Manchester United and Gent and is somewhat at odds with their form in the Bundesliga, where they are without win since March 5.
"Everyone knows that we are not playing perfectly in our league, but that’s compensated by the Champions League," coach Hecking told a pre-match news conference.
"We are playing well and we already had one magnificent day, now we need another one. We know our league form is not that well, but we hope to move forward in the Champions League.
"Are Madrid favourites? I think so. Why should we change our opinion? If we compare the history of both teams, we know who is favourite. We played well in one match, now we have to do it again. Our task is for the favourite to fail."
A packed Santiago Bernabeu will roar Madrid on in the hope of a victory that could come to define Zinedine Zidane's tenure as coach, although Hecking and his fully fit squad are not fazed by the prospect.
"We have the same attitude as against Manchester or Moscow," he explained. "We will see tomorrow, we are used to it now in the Champions League and I think we are going to do pretty well.
"Real Madrid will try very hard. We know what Real Madrid is, we know what the Bernabeu is. It is intimidating. We have a lot of respect, but we also deserve respect after our performance in the first leg.
"We are just going to play football. If there are 80,000 supporters, it doesn’t really bother me. We came here to play football and that’s it.
"We need to be brave, we are really happy with the task we have ahead. We laughed a lot at lunch, we are not stressed, but really happy. We are calm, and we want to make history."
Hecking added: "I hope Real Madrid will play well. The first leg they maybe they were a bit surprised, but I don't think we will surprise them tomorrow. They will try to score. If we score though, it will be very difficult for them.
"Maybe Zidane will be able to surprise me. I’m sure he thought hard about it after the first leg."
news_articleMon, 11 Apr 2016 16:47:01 +0000Anonymous557947 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comReal Madrid v Wolfsburg: Zidane bullish on comeback hopesWolfsburg stunned Real Madrid at the Volkswagen Arena on Wednesday, but Zinedine Zidane still believes his side can go through.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/real-madrid-v-wolfsburg-zidane-bullish-comeback-hopes
A bullish Zinedine Zidane has warned Wolfsburg that his Real Madrid team can "achieve anything" ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Wolfsburg stunned Madrid in last week's first meeting, running out 2-0 winners thanks to Ricardo Rodriguez's penalty and Maximilian Arnold's well-taken finish in the first half.
Zidane cited fatigue as a reason for his side's below-par display at Volkswagen Arena, with Madrid's trip to Germany coming just four days after their energy-sapping Clasico victory over Barcelona.
However, the Frenchman - who made eight changes to his starting XI for Saturday's 4-0 La Liga rout of Eibar - insists Madrid are ready to launch an assault on Wolfsburg's lead as they bid to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the sixth season in a row.
"We'll have to increase our level - we are fully aware that we are two goals behind, and we know we'll play a complicated game," Zidane told the media after the victory over Eibar.
"But I'd like to say that we are able to achieve anything. During the season we were not always at our best, but we are also able to achieve great things.
"What we need to do first is get some rest - we'll prepare on Monday, and we do not have much time to do so.
"We are not going to work much but will choose the team and the strategy that is best against Wolfsburg. There is not too much to consider - we just need to be focused.
"We need to be on our game straight away, like we did today and usually are at home."
Madrid head into Tuesdays' match in high spirits, with their Clasico win at Camp Nou and Barca's subsequent slip-up at Real Sociedad on Saturday - coupled with their own win over Eibar - reigniting the Liga title race. Zidane's men now sit just four points adrift of Barca with six league games remaining.
The Eibar victory also featured yet another milestone for Cristiano Ronaldo, who became the first player to net 30 La Liga goals in six straight seasons. The Madrid superstar is also this season's top scorer in the Champions League, with 13 goals in just nine appearances.
Wolfsburg, meanwhile, are languishing in eighth in the Bundesliga, with a 1-1 draw with Mainz on Saturday dealing another blow to their faint hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Dieter Hecking's team are now winless in their last four league outings, and the coach blamed "tired minds" after they failed to hold a lead given to them by Andre Schurrle's goal early in the second half against Mainz.
Key Opta stats:
- In 15 previous instances of teams losing 2-0 away from home in the first leg of a Champions League game, only twice have sides managed to progress - Barcelona in February 2013 (v AC Milan) and Manchester Utd in February 2014 (v Olympiacos).
- Real Madrid have won 29 of their last 34 Champions League games at the Bernabeu (D3 L2).
- Madrid are the only team yet to concede a goal at home in the Champions League this season.
- Wolfsburg – who are in the quarter-finals of Europe’s top club competition for the first time in their history – have won their last five Champions League games, their best ever run and the longest current streak among teams left in the competition.
news_articleSun, 10 Apr 2016 11:47:01 +0000Anonymous557372 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWolfsburg don't fear Real Madrid - HeckingWolfsburg have plenty of respect for Real Madrid but do not fear their Champions League showdown, coach Dieter Hecking says.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/wolfsburg-dont-fear-real-madrid-hecking
Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking says his side will hold no fear of Real Madrid when they meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Zinedine Zidane's side are firm favourites to emerge victorious from the tie and go into Wednesday's first leg off the back of a 2-1 win in the Clasico which ended Barcelona's 39-game unbeaten run.
Hecking has plenty of respect for Madrid but has challenged his players to "go through fire" in order to rise to the challenge and record a positive result in Germany.
"Games like this are the salt in the soup. This is what every footballer and fan wants. This is a huge opportunity for us," he said on Tuesday.
"I'm happy when I sit here tomorrow and you congratulate me on a good performance, but for that I need a team who will go through fire tomorrow.
"There is respect, but not fear. I also hope we get the support from the fans. We need to fight with our own weapons."
Cristiano Ronaldo's winner at Camp Nou on Saturday took his tally to 42 for the season, but Hecking has warned Wolfsburg they cannot put all their effort in to stopping the Portuguese.
"We can't just focus on Ronaldo," he said. "[Karim] Benzema is also very dangerous, [Gareth] Bale, defenders like Pepe and Sergio Ramos. So is Toni Kroos, who pulls the strings in midfield."
Wolfsburg hope to have Bas Dost back from a broken foot which has kept him sidelined since the middle of January, but Hecking will leave a decision on centre-back Naldo until the last moment.
news_articleTue, 05 Apr 2016 16:27:01 +0000Anonymous555449 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comHecking: Wolfsburg cannot show Real Madrid too much respectWolfsburg cannot afford to show Real Madrid too much respect in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, coach Dieter Hecking says.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/hecking-wolfsburg-cannot-show-real-madrid-too-much-respect
Dieter Hecking believes his Wolfsburg side can pull off a shock when they host Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, as long as they do not show their opponents too much respect.
Wolfsburg are playing in the competition for only the second time in their history and the Bundesliga side booked their last-eight place by beating Gent.
Hecking revealed he would have preferred to have drawn Benfica in the Champions League quarter-finals but said he is looking forward to seeing his side take on "the 'creme de la creme' of Europe".
"From a sporting point of view, I would have preferred Benfica, because that would be a 50-50 tie. But then there is the glamour of Real Madrid," he said.
"I think we can succeed if we don't show too much respect for Real Madrid, the club and their individual players. They are a team just as we are, and we have to try to make it as difficult for them as possible with what we have.
"You have a chance in any match. We are big underdogs in this tie, but outsiders are there to be cheeky, and I would like to see my team doing that in both matches.
"Anyone who knows Real Madrid knows their strengths. They have great quality in attack and have shown that in the Champions League. They've won seven of their eight matches this season, so we're facing great quality, but we shouldn't underestimate ourselves as we also have something to offer. I hope we can show that."
Hecking added that it has been a "special experience" for Wolfsburg - who are eighth in the Bundesliga - to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
"It was a special experience for the club and for the fans, but also for the team. It's also a milestone for me in my career," he said.
"Now we are in with the 'creme de la creme' of Europe – we have to face the teams who have dominated Europe in recent years. And we're part of that with Wolfsburg, from a city of 120,000. That's extraordinary for the club.
"It is a huge amount of fun to play in the Champions League. Every single game has been a highlight. It's a massive experience and an experience that I don't want to miss out on.
"We deserve to be in the quarter-finals, we're having a great season in the Champions League, so let's see what we've still got in store."
news_articleThu, 31 Mar 2016 18:07:01 +0000Anonymous553050 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWolfsburg will give everything to upset Real Madrid - HeckingDieter Hecking says Wolfsburg will go all out to shock Real Madrid after being drawn against Zinedine Zidane's side in the Champions League.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/wolfsburg-will-give-everything-upset-real-madrid-hecking
Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking has promised his side "will give everything" to upset Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Bundesliga side overcame Gent in the last 16 and were rewarded with a clash with the 2014 winners in Friday's last-eight draw in Nyon.
Madrid are favourites to progress to the semi-finals once again but, rather than consider the prospect daunting, Hecking says the task of facing Zinedine Zidane's side is one that his players must embrace.
"We have the opportunity to show our ability on the biggest stage against one of the best teams in Europe, and we want to grasp that chance with everything we've got," he told Sky.
"I either wanted to have Benfica or Real. You always have a little chance - and we want to take it. We will give everything. For the fans and the club it's a great draw."
Madrid director Emilio Butragueno believes Wolfsburg will be especially motivated for their first Champions League quarter-final and claims there are no favourites at this stage of the tournament.
"When you're in the quarter-finals you know you're going to get a tough opponent," he said. "They're a German outfit here [in the last eight] for the first time in their history, which means they'll have extra motivation and we must prepare for the tie very, very well.
"We need to use the quality that our players have to get a good result in Germany before playing in front of our fans. They're a very dangerous side. In this tie there's no favourites. Hopefully our squad will be fully fit. We know that in a Champions League knockout tie all small details count."
news_articleFri, 18 Mar 2016 13:52:01 +0000Anonymous546976 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comHecking wants alert Wolfsburg against GentWolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking is wary of Gent after the Belgian side trimmed his team's 3-0 Champions League lead to 3-2 in the first leg.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/hecking-wants-alert-wolfsburg-against-gent
Dieter Hecking has called on Wolfsburg to be alive to the threat of a Champions League upset in the second leg of their last-16 tie against Gent.
Hecking's side appeared to be cruising through to the quarter-finals when they stormed into a 3-0 lead in Belgium three weeks ago - Julian Draxler netting a brace before Max Kruse grabbed the third with an hour played.
But Sven Kums and Kalifa Coulibaly struck in the final 10 minutes to reduce the deficit to 3-2.
Three away goals mean Wolfsburg remain strong favourites to secure a place in the final eight on Tuesday, but Hecking does not want his men assume the job is done.
"We can't afford to rest upon the result from the first-leg," he told a pre-match news conference. "We need to be wide awake from the outset.
"Our initial situation is good, but we are not through yet. We need a good performance."
"The tension rises now and the team will be well prepared. Freshness could be a decisive factor."
Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels is a product of Gent's youth system and saidTuesday's match will be a "special" occasion for him.
"It's special to play against people from your home country, especially in the Champions League. This does not happen many times, but I don't mind. We want to win and go through to the next round," he explained.
"We are in the Champions League to achieve something special by reaching the quarter-finals. We want to achieve as a team."
news_articleMon, 07 Mar 2016 17:52:01 +0000Anonymous541766 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWolfsburg v Bayern Munich: Flu-hit hosts aim to shackle scourge LewandowskiRobert Lewandowski scored five goals in nine minutes on his last Bundesliga outing against Wolfsburg, whose squad are badly hit by the flu.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/wolfsburg-v-bayern-munich-flu-hit-hosts-aim-shackle-scourge-lewandowski
Wolfsburg host Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with Dieter Hecking's squad badly struggling with flu ahead of the impending visit of their nemesis Robert Lewandowski.
The Poland striker made Bundesliga history in the reverse fixture in September, coming off the bench at half-time with Bayern trailing 1-0.
What happened next was scarcely believable, as Lewandowski netted five goals in an astonishing nine-minute spell to set Bayern on their way to a stunning 5-1 success.
The teams met again a month later in the DFB-Pokal, but this time it was Thomas Muller who did the damage with a brace in a 3-1 victory at the Volkswagen Arena.
Lewandowski and Muller have combined for 39 Bundesliga goals this season - seven more than Wolfsburg have managed in total as Bayern look well set for an inexorable charge to a fourth successive title.
The pair have scored all of Bayern's 10 league goals since the season's resumption, Lewandowski registering nine in his last seven matches across all competitions.
As if Wolfsburg's task was not difficult enough, Hecking's men have been badly struck down by the flu this week, with 11 players missing training earlier this week due to the virus and other injury concerns.
Koen Casteels (bursitis), Nicklas Bendtner (flu) and Bruno Henrique (bronchitis) all missed sessions, while Wolfsburg are hopeful that Andre Schurrle, Daniel Caligiuri and Josuha Guilavogui will all be in contention against Bayern.
"The staffing situation is very tense," said Hecking, who himself has been struggling with illness.
"We have to work beyond the normal level [against Bayern]. The 1-5 and 1-3 [defeats], they were clear. This time we want to make it better."
"The 11 that will be on the pitch on Saturday must give their all," added Wolfsburg defender Dante, formerly of Bayern.
"There is no point in complaining about the number of absentees. You've also got to enjoy games like this, get stuck into every challenge and ensure every pass arrives at its destination."
Wolfsburg at least have the advantage of an extra three days' rest after Bayern drew 2-2 at Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, having thrown away a two-goal lead.
And Hecking's men can take consolation from the corresponding fixture last season, when they thumped the champions 4-1 in a scintillating display.
For Bayern, who lead second-placed Borussia Dortmund by eight points, Rafinha is suspended after picking up his fifth booking in the 3-1 win over Darmstadt last weekend.
Key Opta stats:
- 77 per cent (24/31) of Wolfsburg's points have come at home this season - a league-high proportion.
- Wolfsburg have scored in each of their last 41 Bundesliga home matches and would set a new a club record with a goal against Bayern Munich this weekend.
- Bayern have won all six of their Bundesliga games immediately following a Champions League outing this term (scoring 20 and only conceding one - during the 5-1 win over Borussia Dortmund).
- Bayern turn 116 years old on the day of the match. They crowned their 115th birthday with a 4-1 win over Cologne last year.
news_articleThu, 25 Feb 2016 17:17:01 +0000Anonymous536107 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comWolfsburg defender Jung suffers torn ACLTests have confirmed that Sebastian Jung tore a his ACL during Wolfsburg's 3-2 Champions League win over Gent on Wednesday.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/wolfsburg-defender-jung-suffers-torn-acl
Wolfsburg defender Sebastian Jung has suffered a torn cruciate ligament, the Bundesliga club have confirmed.
The right-back was forced off late in the first half of Wolfsburg's 3-2 Champions League last-16 win at Gent on Wednesday.
And Wolfsburg released a statement on Thursday announcing that Jung has torn the ACL in his left knee, meaning he faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Head coach Dieter Hecking told the club's official website: "The injury is very bitter for us and Sebi. We wish him a speedy recovery."
The 25-year-old, who has made 16 appearances in all competitions in 2015-16, added: "I'd planned a lot for the second half of the season and now must digest the shock that I cannot help the team achieve our goals.
"I'll do everything in order to be healthy and on the pitch again as soon as possible."news_articleThu, 18 Feb 2016 17:07:01 +0000Anonymous532367 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comGent 2 Wolfsburg 3: Draxler hits brace before hosts mount late fightbackLate Gent goals from Sven Kums and Kalifa Coulibaly pegged back Wolfsburg, who ran out 3-2 winners thanks to Julian Draxler's double.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/gent-2-wolfsburg-3-draxler-hits-brace-hosts-mount-late-fightback
Julian Draxler netted a superb brace to put Gent's Champions League hopes in jeopardy as Wolfsburg ran out 3-2 winners at the Ghelamco Arena.
The German side marked their first appearance in the Champions League knockout stages with a first-leg victory over a Gent side that had been beaten just once in 30 previous home games, although the hosts mounted a late fightback to keep the tie close.
The Belgians' resolve was dented when Draxler opened the scoring with a mazy run and clinical finish just before half-time, and the Germany international made it 2-0 when he chipped Gent goalkeeper Matz Sels 10 minutes after the break.
Max Kruse converted Christian Trasch's cross as the tie looked about to slip out of Gent's reach, but Sven Kums and Kalifa Coulibaly's late strikes will give the Belgians hope in the second leg at Volkswagen Arena.
The result will have eased the pressure on Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking, whose side have the worst away record in the Bundesliga this season, while Gent boss Hein Vanhaezebrouck may soon be able to give his full attention to domestic action.
Draxler, who scored in Wolfsburg's win over Ingolstadt in their previous outing, gave an early signal of his intentions after five minutes, cutting inside from the left and firing a dipping shot over the crossbar.
Hecking's men looked determined to defy their dreadful away record but Gent almost found a chink in their armour when Laurent Depoitre's knock down fell to Thomas Foket on the edge of the penalty area, only for the midfielder to scoop his shot well high of Koen Casteels' goal.
The home crowd are unaccustomed to seeing their side struggle but they endured a nervous moment when Gent defender Stefan Mitrovic headed Max Arnold's dangerous cross just wide of his own goal after half an hour.
Just as it looked as though Gent had survived the first-half onslaught, Draxler burst down the left wing, played a neat one-two with Vieirinha, and hooked a cool finish past Sels with his right foot to give Wolfsburg the lead.
Wolfsburg sent on Andre Schurrle to add to their attacking threat in the second half, and the lead was doubled within 10 minutes of the restart.
A woefully loose ball from Renato Neto allowed Draxler to intercept and he skipped past Mitrovic before executing a deft chip to beat Sels and make it 2-0.
Wolfsburg poured forward again and Trasch's brilliant first-time cross found Kruse, who applied an instinctive finish to beat Sels despite pressure from Mitrovic to seemingly put the tie to bed.
But Gent were handed a lifeline when Kums skipped down the left and caught the Wolfsburg defence napping, slotting a simple finish past Casteels to make it 3-1.
And the complexion of the tie was turned on its head as substitute Kenny Saief crossed for Coulibaly to nod home at the near post to make it 3-2, although Wolfsburg's 100 per cent home record in this season's Champions League will give them cause for comfort in the return leg.
Key Opta stats:
- Gent have never beaten a German side on home soil in European competition (D2 L3).
- Julian Draxler scored his first Champions League away goals since October 2013.
- Draxler has scored in successive competitive appearances for the first time since May 2013.
- Gent kept up their record of scoring in every Champions League game that they have played in this season (seven games).news_articleWed, 17 Feb 2016 22:12:01 +0000Anonymous531991 at https://www.fourfourtwo.comHecking: Gent will not be pushoversHaving beaten Lyon and Valencia to a place in the Champions League last 16, Gent will not be underestimated by Dieter Hecking's Wolfsburg.https://www.fourfourtwo.com/sg/news/hecking-gent-will-not-be-pushovers
Dieter Hecking is unimpressed by suggestions Wolfsburg have an easy route into the Champions League quarter-finals having been drawn against Gent.
Wolfsburg face the Belgian champions in the first leg of their last-16 clash at the Ghelamco Arena on Wednesday.
Gent finished second to Zenit in Group H, beating Lyon and Valencia to progression, and Hecking rubbished claims they will be a walkover for the Bundesliga side.
"The German press seems to think Gent will be pushovers. They obviously haven't done their homework," Hecking said. "I know Belgian football well and they are a strong team.
"We will not underestimate Gent tomorrow and will be highly concentrated in our work in order to create a solid base [for progression].
"I think both teams will play their part in a fantastic Champions League evening. The atmosphere will be great.
"The attention on us is big, but we've worked hard this year and the last to get this Champions League opportunity."
Wolfsburg defender Dante is excited to return to European action and says the team will give their utmost to ensure a place in the next round.
"Champions League games really put warmth in your heart. They are something very special," said the Brazilian.
"We need to be fully focused and give everything. We want to move forward."news_articleTue, 16 Feb 2016 18:12:01 +0000Anonymous520362 at https://www.fourfourtwo.com